Ego Part 2: Edging God Out Through Pride And Fear Series

We should think about this story every time we are tempted to take credit for successes in our lives. Every time we look at our wealth, our fame, our position, and are tempted say.. look what “I” have accomplished. Every time, our chest puffs up when someone praises us, every time we are tempted to count the number of people whom “I” have helped to become better.. etc etc. We all Edge God Out through our pride when we fall prey to such temptations.

Let us look at another character in closing. Let us look at Pilate. In your view is he a good guy or a bad guy? I had actually thought of him as a very bad guy initially, but as I studied the whole story of crucifixion, my view about him changed. When you read through the four Gospels, you will notice that Pilate was very convinced that there was no case against Jesus. There was nothing that warranted any severe punishment, let alone crucifixion. But despite that conviction, he finally gives in. Why did he give in despite being so convinced that Jesus did nothing wrong? When I study this story, all that I can find in Pilate is a man who wanted to do the right thing, but ended up doing the wrong thing. What made Pilate do the wrong thing, despite being convinced about the right thing? What do you think Pilate is driven by? Pilate is driven by fear. He feared that the crowd might break into a riot. He feared continued enmity with Herod and used this opportunity to become friends with Herod. He feared that he might lose his position and power because the Jews sort of threatened him when they said that if he lets Jesus go, he will not be considered Caesar’s friend anymore.

You must be thinking, there is something wrong about these examples that I have quoted. Both of them were not believers, they were pagans. Is it fair to use these stories for us who are good church going Christians, especially in an evangelical seminary?

But then, we also know that our spirituality itself, our religiosity itself could be a cause of our pride isn’t it? We all know about Spiritual pride as seen in Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Tax collector Luke 18:9-14. Let me quote Jonathan Edwards (from “The works of Jonathan Edwards”)“The first and worst cause of errors that abound in our day and age is spiritual pride. This is the main door by which the devil comes into the hearts of those who are zealous for the advancement of Christ. It is the chief inlet of smoke from the bottomless pit to darken the mind and mislead the judgment. Pride is the main handle by which he has hold of Christian persons and the chief source of all the mischief that he introduces to clog and hinder a work of God. Spiritual pride is the main spring or at least the main support of all other errors. Until this disease is cured, medicines are applied in vain to heal all other diseases.”

We can be critical of Pontius Pilate. But think about ourselves. Are there not times when we know what is the right thing to do, but did not do that because of some kind of fear? Aren’t there times when we end up doing the wrong thing, knowing well that it is wrong, because of peer pressure or FOMO?